5 Best Areas in Torrevieja & Orihuela Costa in 2026

Buying a property on the Costa Blanca South does not start with choosing a house. It starts with choosing the right area.

Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa offer very different lifestyles: from the year-round services and urban atmosphere of central Torrevieja to the coastal residential areas of Punta Prima, the relaxed atmosphere of La Mata and the golf and residential communities of Orihuela Costa.

For an international buyer, whether looking for a second home, a permanent residence or an investment property, understanding the differences between each area can save time and help you make a more informed decision.

At Elicasa, we work throughout Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa and know the local property market in detail. In this guide, we introduce five areas worth considering before buying and explain what type of buyer may find each one particularly attractive.

What is the best area to buy in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa?

There is no single area that is best for everyone.

The right choice depends on factors such as your budget, how you plan to use the property, proximity to the beach, access to year-round services, interest in golf and your preferred type of property, whether that is an apartment, bungalow, townhouse or villa.

That is why, before viewing properties, we recommend first deciding how you want to live on the Costa Blanca.

As a starting point, these are five areas worth exploring.

1. Central Torrevieja: Everything within easy reach

Who is it ideal for?

Central Torrevieja can be particularly attractive for buyers who value convenience and want shops, restaurants, services and places to walk within easy reach.

It can also suit people who do not want to depend heavily on a car and buyers looking for a home they can enjoy throughout the year rather than only during the summer months.

What makes central Torrevieja attractive?

One of its main advantages is the combination of urban life and proximity to the Mediterranean.

From many parts of the centre, you can walk towards areas such as the seafront and the town's urban beaches, while supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, restaurants and other everyday services are also nearby.

For some buyers, the established resale market in the centre can be particularly interesting, especially when looking for a well-located property with character.

What type of property can you find?

The area is largely made up of apartments, although the exact housing offer varies from one part of the centre to another.

It may be a good choice if you are looking for: year-round services, restaurants, shops, urban life and proximity to the sea.

2. La Mata: Beach, tranquillity and nature

Why choose La Mata?

La Mata, in the northern part of Torrevieja, offers a different atmosphere from the city centre.

One of its main attractions is its direct relationship with the sea. La Mata Beach is approximately 2.36 kilometres long and is the longest beach in the municipality of Torrevieja.

For many buyers, the combination of beach, promenade, local services and a quieter environment makes La Mata an interesting alternative.

Nature close to home

Another major advantage is its proximity to the La Mata and Torrevieja Natural Park, a protected natural area with lagoons and a wide variety of birdlife.

The area also offers opportunities for walking, cycling and outdoor activities throughout the year.

What type of buyer may be suited to La Mata?

La Mata may be particularly attractive to:

• People who prioritise proximity to the beach.
• Families looking for a residential environment.
• Second-home buyers.
• People who enjoy walking and outdoor activities.
• Residents who prefer a less urban atmosphere.

It may be a good choice if you are looking for: beach, tranquillity, nature and a location with its own identity.

3. Los Balcones & Los Altos: Space and a residential environment

An alternative to apartments close to the sea

For some international buyers, being directly beside the beach is not the only priority.

Having more space, a terrace, garden, communal pool or even a detached home can be more important.

Los Balcones and Los Altos offer a more residential profile than central Torrevieja.

Who may find these areas attractive?

They can be interesting for families, permanent residents and buyers looking for larger properties or outdoor space.

Their location also provides relatively easy access to Torrevieja and several areas of Orihuela Costa.

What type of properties can you find?

Depending on the development, the housing stock may include apartments, bungalows, townhouses and villas.

For international buyers, this variety makes it possible to compare different budgets and lifestyles within the same broader area.

It may be a good choice if you are looking for: space, tranquillity, residential communities and a home suitable for year-round living.

4. La Zenia & Villamartín: International lifestyle, golf and services

One of the most international areas of the Costa Blanca South

Orihuela Costa has a very different profile from central Torrevieja.

Its coastline extends for approximately 16 kilometres and includes well-known areas such as Punta Prima, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Campoamor, Playa Flamenca and Mil Palmeras.

Within this territory, La Zenia and Villamartín are particularly familiar to international buyers.

La Zenia

La Zenia combines proximity to the sea, residential communities, restaurants and an extensive range of shopping opportunities.

Its location also provides easy access to other areas of Orihuela Costa, making it an interesting option for buyers looking for a holiday home while still wanting a wide range of services and activities nearby.

Villamartín

Villamartín has a different profile and is particularly well known for its residential environment and golf.

It can be attractive to buyers looking for a property in a residential community with restaurants, services, golf courses and leisure facilities nearby.

What type of buyer may find these areas attractive?

La Zenia and Villamartín may be particularly interesting for:

• International families.
• Second-home buyers.
• Golf enthusiasts.
• Buyers looking for established international communities.
• Investors considering rental property, depending on the specific property and applicable regulations.

It may be a good choice if you are looking for: golf, an international lifestyle, restaurants, shopping and residential communities.

5. Punta Prima: The sea and the connection between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa

A particularly strategic location

Punta Prima occupies a unique position because it lies where Torrevieja connects with the coastline of Orihuela.

This location can be especially interesting for buyers who want to enjoy the coast while maintaining convenient access to both municipalities.

Beach and residential living

Punta Prima offers access to the sea, residential developments, restaurants and a range of property types.

Depending on the development and proximity to the coast, properties include apartments, bungalows, townhouses and higher-end homes.

Punta Prima is also one of the beaches in Orihuela that currently hold Blue Flag status.

Who may find Punta Prima attractive?

It may be particularly appealing to:

• Buyers who prioritise the sea.
• Second-home owners.
• International residents.
• People who want to move easily between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa.
• Buyers interested in properties close to the coast.

It may be a good choice if you are looking for: the sea, residential communities, restaurants and a strategic location between the two municipalities.

Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa? It depends on how you want to live

One of the questions we hear most often from international buyers is whether it is better to buy in Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa.

The answer depends mainly on the lifestyle you are looking for.

This is only a starting point. Within each area, there can be significant differences between individual developments, streets, buildings and property types.

Which area is best for an international buyer?

Torrevieja is today an exceptionally international city, with residents from more than one hundred nationalities. This international character is reflected in both everyday life and the property market.

For a Swedish, Norwegian, Belgian or French buyer, for example, the choice should not be based solely on the property price. It is also worth considering:

Airport access

A property used as a second home can have significant added value if it offers convenient access to the airport and major roads.

Year-round services

Not every area has the same level of activity during the winter months. For buyers planning to live here for long periods or move permanently, this can be an important factor.

Property type

Apartments, bungalows, townhouses and villas offer very different lifestyles and also involve different maintenance costs.

Beach, golf and leisure

Proximity to the sea, golf courses, restaurants, shopping and other activities may be more or less important depending on the buyer.

Rental potential

For investors, the purchase price alone is not enough. Demand, rental strategy, running costs, applicable regulations and the characteristics of the individual property all need to be analysed.

Buying property in Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa: choose the area first, then the property

One of the biggest mistakes an international buyer can make is to start looking at properties before deciding where they actually want to live.

Two apartments with a similar asking price can offer completely different lifestyles if one is located in central Torrevieja and the other in a residential development in Orihuela Costa.

That is why at Elicasa we believe the process should start with a few simple questions:

Do you want to live here all year round or use the property as a second home?

Would you rather walk to the beach or have a larger, quieter property?

Do you need services that remain open throughout the year?

Are you interested in golf?

Would you like to live close to other international residents?

Are you looking for a property with rental potential?

The answers can dramatically reduce the number of areas and properties worth considering.

Elicasa: helping you choose the area before choosing the property

Buying property in Spain from another country can seem complicated.

As well as finding a property that suits your needs, you may need to deal with legal documentation, title checks, taxes, financing and all the steps required before completion.

At Elicasa, we work throughout Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa and know the different areas, residential communities and property types that make up this market.

Our goal is not simply to show you properties.

We want to help you find the part of Costa Blanca South that genuinely fits the way you want to live.

Already have a preferred area?

Tell us what you are looking for, your approximate budget and how you plan to use the property.

Our team can help you compare Torrevieja, La Mata, Los Balcones, Los Altos, Punta Prima, La Zenia, Villamartín and other areas of Orihuela Costa before you start viewing properties.

Contact Elicasa and start by choosing the right place.